Man Made DIY

I'm betting the psychologists have probably figured this out by now: guys need a space. A special space. A clubhouse, a workshop, a pub, a lounge chair, an office, whatever...men are simply wired to seek a spot for themselves that energizes them.

Of course, moving beyond the way-to-old-to-be-safe-and-most-likely-smelly furniture and the vintage metal signs look isn't always easy. But that doesn't mean a man room has to be done up only in the colors of a sports team or feature multiple neon beer signs.     … read more

Here at ManMade, we try to avoid cliched phrases like, the "man cave" or "bachelor pad." But, certainly, there are lots of awesome spaces inhabited by single guys. And, cream walls with hand-me-down furniture and wires everywhere these are not.

This collection features some bold, streamlined spaces with a strong sense of play and fun. All the best parts about being a guy, living on your own. … read more

"Masculine decor" (whatever that means...) is often so serious: lots of dark colors, too much technology, and not a ton of fun. But, if there ever was a "manly" designer with a sense of humor, Antonio Ballatore is your guy. The fourth winner of HGTV's Design Star and star of The Antonio Project simply gets it, combining color, texture, and good times into some pretty inspired places. His is the only show I watch on HGTV, which, as a full time design and decor writer, is saying something. Dude knows his stuff.

He dubs his downtown LA spot, "Medieval cave dwelling meets modern loft living." And, sure, the guy has a pretty big budget and lo… read more

To say Christopher and Javier's home looks like a nightclub isn't really accurate. Sure, their downtown loft is replete with an extensive music collection, a well-outfitted DJ setup, and plenty of tech-y lighting solutions, but it's also bright, cheery, and full of mid-century design icons and bold shocks of color.

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I was in the home of a hoarder once. In college, I went on a spring break service trip to the Rio Grande valley, and we were working on building a school playground. A woman came out and asked if a few of us would lend a hand moving some heavy objects. My buddy Justin and I agreed, and followed her to her home.

When we entered, it was stacked floor to ceiling with file crates, storage bins, and more than anything, plastic grocery bags filled with never opened items, and labeled with masking tape. The "heavy objects" she needed us to move were Rubbermaid bins, stacked six or seven high, because the item she thought she wanted was in the bottom bin. It turned out it wasn't.

She was a very sweet and gracious woman, and even offered to make us lunch. It was a pretty eye-opening experience, one that I'm actually thankful to have experienced first hand.